VW Golf GTI concept hits Paris

In its seventh generation avatar the Volkswagen Golf GTI packs in more power, safety and equipment in a lighter and stronger body structure

Alongside the new Volkswagen Golf being showcased at the 2012 Paris Motor Show is its hot GTI version, although in concept form. The production ready seventh generation VW Golf GTI will go on sale in early 2013 in Europe.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI concept packs in the same 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine as the sixth generation Golf GTI. The engine now pumps out 220PS of power and 350Nm of torque, while the previous Golf GTI generated developed 212PS of power and 280Nm of torque.

For the first time VW will offer a performance pack in the seventh generation Golf GTI that will peg the 2.0-litre engine’s power output at 230PS. The pack will also include bigger front brakes and a front axle differential lock that will reduce torque steer.

The new Golf GTI can go from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 244km/h. And with the performance pack the new GTI can do 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds while top speed is pegged at 248km/h.

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox while a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox is also on offer for both models of the new VW Golf GTI. The latest avatar of the iconic hot hatch also gets a variable ratio steering system that requires fewer lock-to-lock turns while manoeuvring and parking and provides more feedback under enthusiastic driving due to a more direct layout.